News: 9,999 capacity events plan for Rotherham green belt site

A plot of greenbelt land where developers were turned down planning permission for housing could be used for a number of near 10,000 capacity outdoor events, if a newly submitted licensing application is approved.

Pocket Sports Bar Limited, which operates in Worksop and Mexborough, has applied for a new licence to provide a range of activities on land known as The Pitches, including live music and the sale of alcohol.

Newett Homes proposed a high-quality residential development comprising 124 dwellings on the land close to The Stag. Revised down to 116 dwellings, the council's planning board voted to refuse the plans - going against a recommendation by its officers.

Following a subsequent appeal, a planning inspector ruled that the site provides a "visual amenity role for the local community and area" and said that houses should not be built there. The land has since been placed on Rotherham Council's register of Assets of Community Value.

The nine acre site on Wickersley Road has previously been used for football, cricket, hockey, tennis and bowls but it has been vacant for over five years. However, the club house remains on the site, complete with alcohol licence.

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Applicants say that: "The current licence would remain in force, likely to be subject to variation for plans and area" and have now applied for a licence to cover the whole site.

The application seeks to provide the following licensable activities, all of which will be provided outdoors in the open space:

- Performance of plays
- Exhibition of films
- Live music
- Recorded Music
- Performance of Dance
- Anything of a similar description to 3, 4, and 5 above
- The sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises, that is the open space

The hours sought in the application are between 12 noon and 10pm every day of the week, closing at 11pm.

The application form adds: "This would be for a bespoke premises licence that allowed a number of events a year. For 2023 - 1 - 2, for 2024 - 1-3, from 2025 onward - no more than 6 events a year."

Applicants say that the capacity for the events would be no more than 9,999, adding that the site itself is 40,000 sq. m. (430,500 sq. ft.), "which without infrastructure could hold up to 100,000 people. (2.5 persons per sqm = 100,000). The planned capacity limit is roughly 10% of what the site could hold without infrastructure."

Pocket Sports Bar Limited, which already has its registered address at The Pitches, shares a director - Peter Eyre - with Pitches Developments Ltd, the firm involved in the housing scheme.

Representations to the application must be received by Rotherham Council no later than July 3 2023.

Images: Google Maps

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News: Wentworth Woodhouse hosts Grayson Perry exhibition

The Vanity of Small Differences, an exhibition by one of the UK's best-known artists, Turner-Prize winning Grayson Perry, is opening today at Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham.

The series of six large and exuberant tapestries inspired by 18th century painter William Hogarth’s A Rake’s Progress, runs until September 3 - and hopes are it will inspire local people to take up needle and thread.

Grayson created the tapestries after his 2012 Channel 4 TV series All in the Best Possible Taste with Grayson Perry, which journeyed through Sunderland, Tunbridge Wells and The Cotswolds to explore the British fascination with class and what is - or isn’t - deemed good taste.

The artist wove the characters, incidents and objects encountered along the way into his tapestries, which are now in the Arts Council Collection.

These tapestries will hang in four of the mansion’s State Rooms and it’s hoped they will inspire people to make their own textile art.

Wentworth Woodhouse - A Summer of Creative Textile Workshops - will be running during the exhibition to give visitors the chance to learn new skills from seven talented Yorkshire artists.

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Featuring techniques from shish mirror embroidery to weaving and rag rugging, the workshops are supported by Flux Rotherham, an Arts Council England Creative People and Places programme.

The workshops follow on from The Threads that Connect Us, Flux Rotherham’s creative project which saw 170 local people - from beginners to experienced embroiderers - stitch, quilt and applique textile artworks.

Their creations were included in Threads of Survival, a national creative textiles project to share memories of the pandemic.

Said Flux director Helen Jones: “Our project proved there’s now a strong interest in learning traditional crafting skills again. Many people turned to them in the pandemic and found them therapeutic and it’s lovely to see this continuing.

“Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust shares our ethos of community, diversity and inclusion and the Grayson Perry exhibition was the perfect opportunity to come together.”

The Trust is regenerating Rotherham’s Grade I listed mansion and providing community and educational projects, activities and experiences, particularly for people with disabilities, the socially and economically disadvantaged and culturally diverse groups.

“We are delighted to present Grayson Perry’s epic series of tapestries at Wentworth Woodhouse,” said Sarah McLeod, WWPT CEO. “For centuries, tapestries have been an art form on which creators recorded historic events and expressed their opinions. I am sure Grayson's modern interpretations will fascinate our visitors and inspire them to learn new skills at the crafting sessions we are staging with Flux Rotherham.”

Wentworth Woodhouse website
Flux Rotherham website

Images: Arts Council Collection / YouTube

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News: Council seeks developer for Rotherham town centre regen project

Rotherham Council is engaging with the private sector over plans to replace two large burnt out buildings in Rotherham town centre.

Rothbiz reported earlier this month on an update regarding the long-awaited revamp plans to address the eyesore on Corporation Street - a key gateway into town.

The authority served a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in April after negotiations with the owners failed with the council previously stating that there is a "wide gulf between the landowner’s expectations on price and realistic values for the properties."

The CPO is running alongside the authority's attempt to acquire the property by private treaty, but this has been complicated with the recent death of the landowner and the property going into probate.

The council's plans for 3-7 Corporation Street are to demolish the fire-damaged properties and replace them with a £6m mixed use scheme. Comprising of apartments with commercial space on the ground floor, plans were approved last month.

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Paul Woodcock, regeneration and environment director at Rotherham Council, told councillors last week: “Once we get hold of the buildings, either through agreement or by CPO, the next stage will be going out to seek a private developer. If that is not forthcoming, the council will continue and develop the site.”

Tender documents state: "The purpose of this engagement is to establish the level of interest in the redevelopment of a Rotherham Town Centre site (No. 3-7 Corporation Street). The engagement explores local market conditions, level of investment required and how a potential developer would want to work with the Council. We also seek to gauge opinions on contractual arrangements and deliverables required to secure public sector financial support.

"The Council is seeking to appoint a developer who will lead, finance, construct and retain ownership of the scheme, not a contractor to build it. The Council's retained interest would be limited to funding the anticipated viability gap and securing the outputs required to satisfy the Towns Fund and Levelling Up investment."

£3.2m has already been secured through the Town Deal and Levelling Up funds which is intended to be used to acquire the land, clear the site and address the viability gap that exists in the development scheme.

It is a similar delivery route than that seen with the nearby Old Market, Imperial Buildings and Keppel Wharf developments over a decade ago.

To support the CPO, Rotherham Council has also said that, if it can't secure a partner, then it will secure the necessary resources to deliver the scheme itself using its Town Centre Investment Fund (TCIF).

Images: AHR / RMBC

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News: instantprint celebrates 1 millionth customer

Rotherham-based instantprint, the largest UK-based online printer, has identified its 1 millionth customer since being in business.

What started with university leavers in Newcastle in 2009, the business has grown massively since a move to Manvers.

The 1 millionth customer was identified as Electric Cycle Café, an artisan coffee and ebike specialist and to mark the occasion, instantprint founders Adam Carnell and James Kinsella printed their last order free of charge and hand-packed it at the massive 147,000 sq. ft. facility.

Placing 13 orders in the last two years, instantprint have successfully supported Electric Cycle Café’s marketing by printing a range of business cards, posters, and flyers for their shop. Their latest purchase of 500 350gsm silk business cards from the Yorkshire printer are currently being used as loyalty cards for customers visiting their shop.

When instantprint asked them how they felt about being their 1 millionth customer they shared - "We were very surprised that our tiny cafe had been picked out from such a mountainous market."

Electric Cycle Cafe are an independent shop, not part of a chain, that cares incredible amounts about the environment and the local businesses around them. instantprint shared that they love when they find customers who share their vision for a greener future.

Owner, Peter, also told instantprint that his top print tip for other businesses in this industry is to "use a printer that has a fast turnaround on their products! instantprint are fast, reliable, and reasonably priced! We’ve found this also applies to when you’re ordering larger quantities say 500 or 1,000 business cards, posters or leaflets, like we have in the past."

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Starting with a simple goal in mind and recognising that creating print should be easier for small businesses, the founders made it their mantra and it’s still at the heart of everything they do today.

Delivering a wide range of new products, creating handy online services and features, investing in their factory, expanding their premises and launching a new sustainability strategy are just some of the things they’ve ticked off their list, but there’s say that there’s still plenty more to be done.

instantprint’s founders Adam and James are both incredibly invested in helping like-minded business reach their goals. From their Small Business Hub to hiring Account Managers to take care of customer accounts, their investment into instantprint has helped over 1 million small businesses boost their brand with print over the years. With over 5 million small businesses in the UK alone, that’s a whopping 1 in 5 choosing to print with instantprint.

Adam Carnell and James Kinsella, Founders of instantprint, said: "Celebrating our 1 millionth customer is such an exciting time for us here at instantprint. We both think back to when we first started out with just two members of staff in a tiny office in Newcastle. Now, we’re the UK’s largest online printer, fulfilling thousands of jobs each day. It’s such a monumental milestone for us and we couldn’t be prouder of our team and of course, our customers who have helped get us to this point. We can’t wait to share what the future holds for instantprint."

instantprint website

Images: instantprint

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News: First occupiers for new £60m Rotherham development

The new Catalyst development in Rotherham is 50% pre let having secured its first two occupiers prior to completion.

Outline plans were approved in 2019 to enable the successful Sheffield Business Park to expand into Rotherham. Investor, developer and asset manager Mirastar has brought forward the Catalyst development on a 17.9-acre site that was previously kept in the green belt when Sheffield City Airport was in operation.

Surfaces specialist Cosentino has become the first tenant to sign up to £60m industrial scheme fronting Sheffield Parkway.

The scheme comprises of five units totalling 285,000 sq ft and Cosentino, whose Silestone, Dekton and Sensa worktop brands are known worldwide, has taken a 33,608 sq ft unit on the prime 18-acre site.

JLA Group, a market leader in the supply and maintenance of commercial equipment, including laundry, catering, heating and fire safety equipment, has also secured 109,166 sq ft ahead of PC. This marks a significant investment for the Group who are expanding into their own facility to accommodate substantial business growth.

The development as a whole is expected to create around 500 jobs for the region.

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Henry Watson, associate at M1 Agency, said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts with Cosentino on Unit 3 and JLA Ltd at Unit 1 prior to practical completion. Cosentino is a world leader in the production and distribution of engineered and other natural stone surfaces. JLA is a UK market leader in their field. Both are excellent occupiers for this prestigious new prime development.”

Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of the Yorkshire industrial team at Knight Frank, said: “Catalyst offers quality of space, but also the presence and access onto The Parkway, one of Sheffield’s main arterial routes.

“The market continues to show good demand for modern, highly specified and sustainable space for occupiers wanting growth or relocation opportunities, plus the opportunity to tap into excellent labour resources in the region.”

Rob Brophy of Mirastar added: “Sheffield Catalyst is an important scheme to deliver much needed new industrial warehouse facilities benefiting from excellent ESG credentials and unrivalled prominence and access to the Sheffield Parkway and the M1 Motorway. We’ve received strong occupier demand since commencing on site and it’s great to see the scheme come together as we near completion having successfully pre-let 50% of the scheme.”

Agents Knight Frank, Gent Visick and M1 are marketing the remaining three units of 22,448 sq ft, 28,309 sq ft and 91,923 sq ft which are suitable for warehouse and distribution, general industrial and manufacturing.

The KKR-backed specialist asset manager, Mirastar, committed to a multimillion-pound funding agreement last year to help deliver Catalyst, alongside developers Premcor and Peveril Securities.

Cosentino website
JLA Group website

Images: Peveril / C4

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News: £3.6m Rotherham transport scheme progresses

Rotherham Council is urging people to continue to use the local businesses in an area of town where the creation of new active travel schemes is causing disruption.

At Wellgate and Broom Road a £3.6m scheme sees Rotherham Council introducing 1.4km of dedicated cycle tracks on Wellgate between Hollowgate and Boswell Street, along with three new signalised junctions, one new road crossing, two improved road crossings and associated connecting works.

During works, which began in April, there will be traffic management closures on Broom Road for approximately 25 weeks, Wellgate for approximately 25 weeks and Clifton Roundabout for approximately 14 weeks.

Esh Construction secured the contract for the works.

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment at Rotherham Council, said: "We are delivering a significant investment of £3.6m to improve accessibility to Rotherham town centre.

"We do have a one-way system in operation on Wellgate at the moment to ensure that we can keep the workers safe who are delivering this scheme but our message is quite clear from the council - local businesses are still open and you can still get to these local businesses.

"We do have very short, effective diversions in place, Wellgate multi-storey [car park] is still open, and the small car park next to the multi-storey, and so we want people to continue to come to the town centre to use and support these local businesses."

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The funding for the scheme was secured by the council through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Active Travel Fund (ATF), Gainshare and the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS). The rationale for the scheme is to encourage a mode shift away from private car use and to enable cycling in an area identified as a priority in the Rotherham Cycling Strategy.

Clifton Roundabout, along with its approaches, is being narrowed to a single lane to control vehicle speeds, provide space for cycle tracks, separate from traffic and pedestrians, all the way around, and improve the refuge areas for pedestrians and cyclists crossing each arm of the roundabout.

The proposals mean that the current bus lane on Broom Road would end before the roundabout where two lanes will merge into one, with the cycle track alongside. The existing westbound bus lane will be kept, and goods vehicles will be newly allowed to use the bus lane.

Clrr. Beck added: "One aspect of the scheme is that, once delivered, and part of other schemes already being delivered or in development, is that there will be a continuous cycle route all the way from Sheffield, into Rotherham town centre, and out to Wickersley as well, to help create a really safe environment for people to come and go from the town centre, either by cycling, walking or indeed if you are a motorist.

"We are going to have improved signalised junctions, there'll be improved crossing spaces for pedestrians, and in the end, everyone will benefit from this scheme.

"Whilst we do have these short term disruptions in place around the one-ways and diversions, please use them ... and continue to use local businesses."

£8.6m of funding has also been secured by the council from the SYMCA for the £9.74m Sheffield Road Cycleways scheme which aims to support affordable and environmentally friendly travel with new segregated cycle tracks extending the existing route from the Sheffield boundary near to the Magna Science Adventure Centre at Templeborough, through to Rotherham town centre.

With Westgate set to incorporate 2 metre-wide advisory cycle lanes on either side with a single carriageway down the middle, construction will take place in two phases, starting in the spring and expected to last for 15 months.

Images: RMBC

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News: £60m Rotherham solar farm gets go ahead

Plans for a £60m solar farm in Rotherham, which includes thousands of solar panels installed on green belt land, have been granted planning permission after the Secretary of State decided not to intervene.

Rothbiz reported last year that independent renewable energy firm Banks Renewables had submitted a planning application for a new solar energy park on a 116-hectare piece of agricultural land to the west of the Todwick Road Industrial Estate in Dinnington, around three miles east of Banks’ Penny Hill wind farm at Ulley.

The plans went before the planning board at Rotherham Council last month, with members voting in favour of the scheme after being recommended to give them the green light.

The Common Farm Solar project would have an installed capacity of up to 50MW. This compares to the capacity of up to 20MW at Penny Hill Wind Farm and 44MW at the Templeborough Biomass power station.

Planning permission is for a period of 40 years. The construction period is an estimated 6-9 months.

Developers need to demonstrate very special circumstances for using the green belt land and council planners confirmed that "the benefits of renewable energy raise substantial benefits in favour of the proposal" and environmantal, economic and social benefits amount to a total investment of approximately £61.2m over its lifetime, plus an annual package of community benefits totalling £50,000 a year.

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Because of the use of green belt land, the plans were referred to the Secretary of State to decide if they required further scrutiny. The Secretary of State has now written to the council to say that the government has decided not to call the application, content that it should be determined by the local planning authority.

Jamilah Hassan, community relations manager at The Banks Group, said: “Having had a recommendation for approval for our Common Farm Solar Energy Park proposals from Rotherham Council’s expert planning officers, we’re very pleased that the members of the Council’s planning committee have been minded to follow their advice.

“The response we’ve had to this project from local people over the last year has generally been very positive, and there’s been widespread recognition of the environmental, energy security and community benefits that it will bring to the local area.

“Maximising the production and storage of renewable energy from sources within the UK is a crucial part of our nation’s ongoing journey towards its Net Zero targets, especially with the current energy security and cost of living crisis in mind.

“The Common Farm Solar Energy Park would extend the contribution that we’re able to make locally towards reaching these goals while also increasing the tangible benefits that we can deliver to local communities through the benefits package that forms a key part of the overall project.

“We’re excited at what can be achieved here and hope to be able to move this project forward as quickly as possible.”

Banks Group website

Images: Banks Group

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News: Parking charges to be introduced at Rotherham United's stadium

A new set of parking charges look set to be brought in at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, the home of Rotherham United.

Charges range from £2 for 2 hours to £10 for 24 hours.

Rothbiz reported in 2020 that a planning application had been submitted on behalf of the Championship club to vary the conditions of the original 2010 application for the £20m stadium on the edge of Rotherham town centre.

Approved without going to the planning board at Rotherham Council, the plans enable over 300 spaces in the northern car park, which sits between the stadium, the council offices and the remains of the Guest & Chrimes building, to be used on non-match days on a charged basis for visitors to the town.

Now Rotherham Council is using powers under the Traffic Management Act to introduce charges in the off street car park.

Users who park for less than 30 minutes, to visit the ticket office or club shop for example, will not be charged, but the new charges scheduled are:

Up to 2 hours - £2
Up to 3 hours - £3
Up to 10 hours - £5
24 hours - £10

The car park is also set to operate parking permits.

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The 2020 planning application showed that the southern car park, and its 225 spaces, would be used by stadium staff, visitors and tenants, such as Mears and Hughie Construction.

Both car parks would continue to be used on match days for those with parking permits.

The planner's report also added that the variation would apply the use of the northern car park on both match days and non-match days on a charged basis. The proposal also includes the provision of barriers at the access and egress points and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) will be used to monitor use of the car park.

Planners concluded: "It is considered that the site can operate as a mix of pay and display spaces while also being available for use during matchdays, and the potential increase in traffic during the week will not have an adverse impact on the highway network."

The move comes as plans are submitted for commercial development on a nearby car park on Brinsworth Street.

Images: Google Maps

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News: New bridge lifted into place at Forge Island

A striking new pedestrian bridge has been successfully lifted into place at Forge Island in Rotherham linking the flagship development with the town centre.

The Forge Island development, part of Rotherham Council’s regeneration vision for the town centre, is being delivered in partnership with the Council, nationwide placemaker Muse and contractor Bowman + Kirkland.

The bridge will offer a vital connection from the town centre to the new family-friendly leisure destination – as well as a link to the town’s remarkable engineering heritage.

The 46-meter-long bridge, weighing 86 tonnes, was manufactured and installed by S H Structures, specialists in the design and manufacture of complex steel structures. Over a period of two days, a crane was erected and rigged, ready for the careful installation of the bridge which took one hour, in a military precision operation watched by local residents from vantage points across the town centre.

The design takes inspiration from the world-famous Bailey Bridge; a portable, steel-truss bridge, designed and developed by Rotherham-born civil engineer, Donald Bailey, which was used by the military throughout Europe during the Second World War.

Designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects, the new bridge is a celebration of Rotherham’s engineering heritage, taking inspiration from the original design to create a contemporary permanent gateway structure for the town.

The diamond truss steel design that is synonymous with Bailey Bridges is clad with red/brown perforated steel panelling to fit with the colour of planned Forge Island buildings, another nod to the history of the area, which originated as a steel forge in the 19th century.

The bridge will be illuminated at night, to make a striking visual feature of its unique structural elements to enhance the experience of everyone who visits Forge Island.

The bridge will provide pedestrians and cyclists with an eye-catching crossing from the town centre across the River Don, to the new waterside destination, which will feature a mix of independent and family-friendly eateries alongside boutique cinema operator, The Arc and national hotel chain, Travelodge, all set within attractive new public spaces.

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Andrew Fairest, Project Director at Muse, said: “This is an important milestone for the whole Forge Island development, as we link this new waterfront destination to the Rotherham community, making sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy what Forge Island has to offer.

“Rotherham’s engineering heritage was a wonderful starting point for the Muse team, offering a rich seam of inspiration and shaping our thinking around Forge Island. The bridge is a key part of this exciting new chapter in Rotherham’s story, linking the past with the present and future.”

Over the next few weeks, a podium is being built on site, which will elevate the scheme out of the floodplain of the River Don. Work will then begin to construct the buildings and new landscaped public spaces, including a stepped amphitheatre beside Rotherham Lock.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs and Economy, Cllr Denise Lelliott, said: “This major milestone not only shows that the Forge Island development scheme is forging ahead, is it also showcases a symbolic connection between Forge Island and the heart of the town centre. Once Forge Island opens, this bridge will be the main gateway from the cinema, hotel and restaurants to the rich heritage and culture of the town centre, and I am sure that my footsteps will be a few of thousands.”

Construction work on the £47m Forge Island scheme – which was announced as 100% let in October 2022 – is led by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, working alongside the wider project team which also includes Arup, Helm Consulting, Arcadis and re-form Landscape Architecture.

Forge Island is set to open to the public in 2024.

Forge Island website

Images: B & K / Reach Timelapse

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News: Rotherham Council to spend £1.3m supercharging town centre car park

Rotherham Council is accelerating plans to increase the electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the borough. And locals could get a reduced rate for charging their vehicles.

Having secured funding from the government, the authority's cabinet has signed off on a scheme to install public EV chargers and Solar PV Systems at Drummond Street Car Park in Rotherham town centre.

Expanding the current Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot, the government announced £56m in public and industry funding for increasing EV chargepoints across the country.

Having secured £1.6m, Rotherham Council will use £1.29m from the capability funding pot to create a Solar PV Canopy and EV charge point scheme in the car park which currently has two 22kW sockets.

A cabinet paper explains: "The LEVI Scheme is aimed at reducing inequality between those who can charge on a driveway at domestic tariffs and those forced to charge using public infrastructure at commercial rates, because they do not have offstreet parking available. Consideration will be given to the financial and legal feasibility of enabling a portion of the savings derived from the PV output to provide a reduced rate for authenticated and approved Rotherham residents.

"There are over 2,000 dwellings without off-street parking area within a 10-minute walk of Drummond Street Car Park. The Drummond Street site would offer opportunities for overnight charging by local residents, daytime charging for commuters and shoppers, and a convenient charging location for Taxi / Public Hire Vehicles (PHV)."

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Initial designs are for a Solar PV Canopy and battery surrounded by 28 charging bays with a mix of size and charging speeds. Electricity for the EV chargers will be provided by Solar Photovoltaic (PV) arrays mounted on steel canopies covering up to 128 parking spaces.

It is set to be operational next year.

The bid conditions require private sector match funding so the authority is now set to procure a company on a concession contract to design, install and operate the EV charging systems.

Cllr. Dominic Beck, Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment at Rotherham Council, said: "This will be by far the biggest investment into public EV charging availability in Rotherham to date. We currently operate around 40 accross the borough, in pretty much every corner of the borough at various locations, but this will see significant investment into one on Drummond Street in the town centre to serve many homes who don't have the ability to charge their own electric vehicles.

"It's a really good news story and is part of a wider project where, over the next year or two, we will be bringing on line even more at various spots across the borough funded through various different routes."

Current council charging points can be found at car parks, country parks and libraries.

RMBC website

Images: RMBC

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News: Plans approved for 300 houses in Rotherham

A national housebuilder has received planning approval from Rotherham Council for a large housing development near West Melton and Brampton.

Rothbiz reported in October that the application from Persimmon for 311 houses on land off Barnsley Road / Pontefract Road was recommended for approval by the planning board.

The greenfield site was allocated for housing in Rotherham's development plan in 2018 then Fitzwilliam Wentworth Estates put the 11.73 hectare site up for sale in 2019.

The full application is for a development that provides a mix of, two, three and four bed dwellings and a range of sizes to meet family needs. In Persimmon's styles, the proposed units are all two storeys in height with the exception of some house types which are 2.5 storeys with a master bedroom provided in the roof space.

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The proposal also includes the provision of 25% on site affordable housing units, which equates to 78 dwellings. Vehicle access is proposed off Barnsley Road but not Pontefract Road due to the level difference between the site and Pontefract Road, along with the presence of a gas main.

The delay was caused by the number of conditions attached to the approval and now a Section 106 agreement (a mechanism which makes a development proposal acceptable in planning terms, that would not otherwise be acceptable) has been signed by the council and developer, meaning that planning approval is granted.

In addition to the 25% affordable housing, other conditions in the Section 106 agreement include £155,500 towards sustainable transport measures, a £45,000 contribution to maintenance of existing Off Site Play Area within 400m of the site, a £45,000 contribution to footpath links, a £145,659 contribution to meet the increased demand of sport in the locality, a £54,947 contribution towards two bus shelters with real time digital displays near the site and a £609,451.75 contribution to education.

Persimmon, a listed company headquarted in York, reported total group revenues of £3.82bn for the year ended 31 December 2022, up from £3.61bn in 2021. Profit before tax was £730.7m, down from £966.8m the previous year. Warning that "the market remains uncertain" bosses said there could be 8,000-9,000 sales in 2023 unless there was a market improvement. 8,000 sales would be a 46% drop on the 14,868 homes completed in 2022.

Persimmon website

Images: Google Maps

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News: Kit deal supports charity goals for club and business community

In a first for the club, Rotherham United has signed an innovative commercial deal which has seen six businesses come together as "Diamond Partners."

It means that for the 2023/24 Championship season, the Millers will have the Rotherham Hospice logo proudly emblazoned across the chest.

The club hopes that by establishing this Diamond Partnership of businesses that the profile and subsequent fundraising for the Rotherham Hospice not only continues, but accelerates.

The partners are AESSEAL, Equisolve Consulting Ltd, Hughie Construction Ltd, IPM Group, Mears, and Steelphalt.

Rotherham United Commercial Director Steve Coakley said: “For the forthcoming 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign we were determined to look at doing something different, innovative and community-based because we felt that best represented what Rotherham United is all about.

“This unique partnership will be the first of it’s kind in Rotherham United history. It has allowed us as a club to provide a platform for an allegiance of business associates to unite in the name of charity to become our first ever Diamond Partners."

“We are simply using the vehicle of our status as a Sky Bet Championship club alongside our responsibility as a community-driven organisation at the heart of the town, to facilitate this opportunity for six businesses who absolutely mirror those beliefs.

“As a club we have always tried to shout from the rooftops in local circles about the amazing service that the Rotherham Hospice provides to our local community and beyond, but thanks to our new Diamond Partners, we will now be taking the hospice name and branding around the country with us and broadcasting it to the global audience that the second tier of English football attracts.

“The key goals and objectives for our front of shirt sponsorship for 2023/24 were to be innovative and different whilst steering clear of sectors that would cause any element of controversy or division amongst supporters and we truly believe this unique collaboration is something which everyone will be right behind.

“However, this could only be achieved by getting the type of buy-in from like-minded organisations who were selflessly willing to forego having their own branding displayed and we will forever be thankful that these six pioneering businesses have enabled this to happen.

“The six businesses have been aptly named our ‘Diamond Partners’ as we feel that is reflective of the role they have in our community. The Hospice is one of the jewels in the crown of our town and we are proud beyond words to have agreed this historic business deal in their name.”

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The only adult hospice in Rotherham for the people of Rotherham, Rotherham Hospice is an independent charity and requires a staggering £3m per year to allow them to continue to carry out this invaluable service.

Rotherham Hospice Director of Income and Communications Stephen King said: "Everyone connected to Rotherham Hospice would like to thank Rotherham United for their unbelievable support. This partnership will have a huge impact on our patients, families, volunteers, and staff. This partnership will bring the people of Rotherham together in support of their hospice.

"What makes this even more special is the support of the local businesses who have made this possible. Their generosity means that it will be our logo sitting proudly on that famous red and white shirt. The exposure Rotherham Hospice will receive next season is incredible."

Rotherham United Chairman Tony Stewart added: "Our support for the Rotherham Hospice is something that we have been incredibly proud of throughout the club's history and we have taken great pride in the way that we have looked to innovate in the ways in which we have backed their fundraising efforts.

"Our Honorary Life President John Breckin has been the driving force behind ideas such as the 'Give the Hospice a Hand' fixture a couple of seasons ago and has done brilliantly to establish a summer charity cricket game each year involving the first team, to name just two events we have been extremely proud to support.

"As a club, we are constantly looking to evolve, whether that be on the pitch, off it, or in the community and this concept to bring some of our entrusted club sponsors together as 'Diamond Partners' ranks right up their with our most satisfying achievements to date in the charity sector.

"On behalf of everyone at Rotherham United I would like to wholeheartedly thank the six businesses that have made this unique proposal a reality.

"I truly believe that the rest of the football world will sit up and take note of this commercial innovation and hopefully this may prompt more clubs to follow suit in pledging their support to charity in a similar manner."

RUFC website
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News: Developer plants the seed for housing on Rotherham garden centre site

Avant Homes has announced proposals for the residential redevelopment of a Rotherham garden centre that closed three years ago.

Early plans explain how a Grade II listed building would be incorporated into the scheme for 40 new homes, and how a connected site has the potential for 351 further dwellings.

Rothbiz reported in 2020 that Fosters Garden Centre would close. The Foster family had been in business in Thrybergh for over a hundred years, growing to include a garden centre, antiques centre, machinery department, coffee shop and a cycle retail outlet.

With the site remaining vacant, Avant Homes is in the process of preparing a full planning application for the construction of up to 40 dwellings, including the conversion of the existing buildings to produce up to seven dwellings at Doncaster Road. 2, 3 and 4 bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached homes are mentioned.

Considered brownfield in nature, the site comprises buildings from the former garden centre, a large area of hard standing and a former petrol filling station.

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The garden centre was based around the cartshed, granary and stable of Chestnut Tree Farm which dates from 1816. These Grade II Listed buildings would be retained and sympathetically converted. Other buildings, including the petrol station would be demolished and a new point of access will be developed directly off Doncaster Road.

It is expected that up to 30 high quality energy efficient new homes will be included in the plans, 25% of which will be affordable homes of a variety of tenures to meet identified local housing needs.

Avant said in its consultation documents: "Our aim is to create a development which is designed to be sympathetic to the existing locality and the Listed Buildings whilst enhancing the existing character of the surroundings through creating contextual design features and using high quality materials.

"The site offers the opportunity to deliver a design-led residential development on vacant brownfield land that is in a highly sustainable location of Rotherham."

The community consultation also hints at the future for the wider area where a large field to the north of St Gerard's Catholic Primary School was designated for residential use in the borough's local plan. Known as site H26, the 41 acre site has the capicity for 351 dwellings.

The documents add: "As part of our planning application, we will produce a masterplan to show how our development will not prejudice the development of H26 and how the two sites can be integrated together to form a sustainable and interconnected scheme."

The consultation runs until June 26 before a planning application is submitted.

Avant Homes website

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News: Source of pride for Rotherham as skills academy makes Magna move

After 20 years at landmark offices at Meadowhall, South Yorkshire’s Training Provider of the Year, The Source Skills Academy, is moving to Magna in Rotherham.

The academy, which has transformed the lives of over 10,000 people since launching at Meadowhall Way in 2003, will take up residence in September in a move its CEO Tricia Smith describes as "a merging of like-minded organisations upskilling the young people of South Yorkshire."

She commented: “Magna is a unique, immersive learning experience for children and is about to have an exciting revamp, thanks to Rotherham's successful bid for £20m from the Levelling Up Fund.

“It is an ideal place for us to be. As are we, Magna Trust is a not-for-profit charity; we have the same values and goals - helping young people to find their best futures.”

Last year the award-winning science centre at Templeborough drew over 110,000 visitors, including 30,000 Key Stage 1 and 2 schoolchildren aged four-11, for whom it provides hands-on STEM learning.

Added Tricia Smith: “Many of the skills children use in its workshops are perfectly-suited to the apprenticeships we specialise in.

“We want to help Magna expand and deliver activities and workshops for Key Stage 4 and 5 pupils and post-16s and be on hand to support those looking to apprenticeships.”

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Magna launched in 2000 after a £46m Millennium Project transformed what was the largest electric arc steel producing facility in Europe into a science centre to maintain the heritage of steel-making in Rotherham and Sheffield.

Kevin Tomlinson, CEO of Magna, said: “Supporting the development of young people lies at the very heart of our education offering.

“I am looking forward to welcoming The Source to their new home at Magna’s head office on Sheffield Road. There are clear synergies between the two organisations, in our common goal of helping to inspire and nurture the next generation.

“Collaboration can only enhance the services that these two major South Yorkshire- based charities bring to the area.”

Magna’s strong road and public transport links, soon to be enhanced by the building of a tram-train stop, also have strong appeal to the training academy, which has pledged to become more deeply embedded in local communities.

Another draw is the Work Wise charity’s Get Up To Speed interactive careers event for learners, teachers and parents, which is staged at Magna each year.

Cost considerations are another factor. During the pandemic, The Source swiftly embraced technology to provide training online and while face-to-face tutoring is again the norm, less operational space is required. Its lease with British Land, which owns the Meadowhall Way building, is due to expire in September.

Commented Tricia Smith: “Meadowhall had long been an ideal base for us but the world changed dramatically and as a charity with responsibility to its trustees, we have to be mindful of cost.”

The Source website

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News: Esh Group celebrate contract success in Rotherham

North of England contractor, Esh Construction, has secured £15m of new civil engineering contracts as the firm continues to target growth within the Yorkshire region.

With bases in Durham and Leeds, Esh Group is one of the North of England’s largest privately-owned construction businesses and operates throughout the North East, the Tees Valley, Yorkshire and the Humber.

Public realm, highways, infrastructure and enabling works are among the projects secured since the start of the year, representing a 100% uplift in pipeline from the same time in 2022. A number of recent contracts have been in Rotherham.

Multiple projects have been secured through the YORcivil2 framework, with Esh recently commencing work on a cycle lane project known as Wellgate and Broom Road on behalf of Rotherham Council. The scheme will include 0.7km of cycleway construction, along with associated works at junctions, signal-controlled crossings, drainage works and resurfacing.

While another contract, in excess of £6m, which will deliver cycleway and bus lane facilities to promote active travel into Rotherham town centre is due to start in June.

Other work includes early contractor involvement (ECI) work for a design and build contract on Rotherham’s Riverside Residential Quarter. Site investigations have commenced as part of the design phase which includes Esh working closely with the Environment Agency due to the site being located next to the river Don.

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Previous Esh projects in the borough include the £5m housing development at Broom Hayes (pictured) and the soon to open, £5.4m business incubation hub at Manvers. Esh also worked on the £1.4m contract to change the road layout on the B6089 through Greasbrough from a mini roundabout to a signalised junction.

Steven Garrigan took the helm as Divisional Director for Esh’s civil engineering division in 2022. He said: “The strong start to 2023 in the Yorkshire and Humber region follows several director and senior-level promotions which were made in the division to drive forward organic growth plans. As a result, we have seen the pipeline double from the same time last year which has enabled us to double the delivery team in the region.

“These recent awards represent a number of repeat contracts with established clients which builds on the success of previously delivered schemes and is testament to the hard work of our delivery team and sub-contractors.

“Throughout each contract we will deliver a bespoke package of social value initiatives which are designed to maximise the social and economic benefits for the local community. This will include employing a local workforce, procuring a local supply chain, delivering employability and engagement sessions within schools and colleges, as well as offering work experience and T-Level opportunities for those keen to gain an insight into the industry.”

Esh Construction is appointed to YORhub’s YORcivil2 framework for projects worth up to £10m. Since securing a place on the framework in 2017, Esh has secured more than £26.7m of projects procured through YORcivil2.

Esh Group website

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News: Update on Rotherham burnt out buildings

The council's acquisition of two large burnt out buildings in Rotherham town centre has another layer of complexity with the recent death of the landowner and the property going into probate.

The aim is to redevelop the plot on Corporation Street with a £6m mixed use scheme.

The authority served a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in April after negotiations with the owners failed with the council previously stating that there is a "wide gulf between the landowner’s expectations on price and realistic values for the properties."

Located on a key gateway into the town centre, the burnt-out buildings that make up 3-7 Corporation Street have been a long-standing eyesore in Rotherham. Khyber Pass Indian Restaurant (no.7) suffered fire damage in December 2005 with the ‘Envy’ night club above (no.7) suffering a similar fate in April 2007 (affecting the retail units below). The Muskaan Indian Restaurant (no. 3-5) was also fire damaged in July 2011.

An update to Rotherham Council's cabinet states: "Despite approaches from the Council, the owner of the property is unable or unwilling to bring it forward for redevelopment. Negotiations with the landowner’s agent commenced in April 2021 and have continued over recent months. Despite these continued negotiations agreement on the voluntary acquisition has not been reached and is not considered likely by Officers within a reasonable timescale, or at all.

"Negotiations with the landowner’s agent towards the end of 2022 were more positive but it has still not been possible to reach an agreement on the land acquisition. The landowner, as indicated at the Land Registry, has recently passed away and his Estate is subject to Probate. An offer to acquire the property has been put in writing and issued to the solicitors dealing with the matter. As a result of these circumstances, the inability to reach agreement on the acquisition, timescales relating to the funding and the prior non cooperation of the landowner, it was considered necessary to make and serve the Order [CPO}."

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When acquired, the buildings would be demolished and a private sector developer would be brought in to build a £6m residential-led, mixed-use development, comprising of apartments with commercial space on the ground floor. Plans were approved last month.

£3.2m has already been secured through the Town Deal and Levelling Up funds which is intended to be used to acquire the land, clear the site and address the viability gap that exists in the development scheme.

Rotherham Council has said that it will secure the necessary resources to deliver the scheme by making provision to fund this viability gap on the development through its Town Centre Investment Fund (TCIF), adding that: "Should a private sector development partner be secured the TCIF balance of funding will be released back to support wider town centre investment."

The Leader of Rotherham Council, Cllr Chris Read, said: “The use of a Compulsory Purchase Order is not something the Council takes lightly, but in this case the buildings have stood empty for far too long. If we continue to be unable to make progress with the owners, it is justified to support the continued transformation of Rotherham town centre.

“The current burnt-out buildings are situated in a prominent position in the town centre which, when redeveloped, will provide residents and visitors with a welcoming first view into Rotherham and new amenities.”

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News: AMRC’s fibre handling expertise helps develop novel prototype

The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is part of a consortium that has developed a novel prototype machine that could lead to lower emissions and increased aircraft performance.

The AMRC is a model for collaborative research which is now being applied to the development of sustainable technologies and products to help its 120-plus industrial partners realise the benefits of a green transition. It operates the Factory of the Future and the AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham and Factory 2050 in Sheffield.

The AMRC has collaborated with Archer Technicoat Limited (ATL), TISICS Metal Composites and Cygnet Texkimp to deliver a project on 'Continuous Interface Coating for Silicon Carbide (SiC) composites’ or CICSiC for short.

The project focused on the manufacture routes for silicon carbide-based Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) - a material of particular interest for high temperature applications of up to 2,000 degrees Celsius in sectors such as aerospace, space and nuclear. The delivery of the project builds on the AMRC’s reputation as one of the leading centres nationally for research in the manufacture of these materials.

The interface between the fibre reinforcement and the matrix is a critical component of CMCs. The project aimed to develop equipment and processing know-how for uniform, continuous coating of interfaces on SiC fibres, such that the mechanical properties of SiC-based CMCs can be more closely specified to enhance their aerospace applications.

This enables the development of more efficient engines, offering significantly lower weight, lower cooling requirements and lower aircraft emissions - resulting in a reduced impact on the environment.

“SiC-based ceramic matrix composites are a promising material for many extreme environment applications including aero engines,” says Ryan Skillett, technical manager at ATL. “The CICSiC project kick-started the development of a new method for manufacturing these high value materials aiming to simultaneously bring down costs whilst improving performance and reliability.”

The project aimed to develop a new reel-to-reel coating technology to replace the current batch coating method to apply interphase coatings to CMCs. In the batch coating method, a preform is made from uncoated fibre which is treated in one step, making it difficult to ensure an even coverage of all areas of the preform with equal precision. The new method uses a reel-to-reel process to apply the interphase coating. Material is wound from its original spool onto a new spool with the interphase being applied in-between. This ensures an uniform coating. As the material is still on a spool, it can easily be used in fibre processing technologies. This allows for shapes with increased complexity to be formed with a uniform interphase coating.

Ryan says the results of the project have drawn international interest from specialists. He added: “The project worked towards the creation of a continuous fibre coating system to work in harmony with the existing batch-based technology, and in doing so, look to take on some of the major barriers to market for the product. The results of this project have drawn international interest from specialists in the material, leading us to believe it has a very bright future.”

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The AMRC’s role in the project focused on the industrial scale processing of SiC fibres to produce preforms with increased complexity. The ability to process the fibre is key to realising the potential of this material. Utilising SiC fibres in processing technologies such as weaving and Tailored Fibre Placement (TFP) is important for building confidence in the handling of these materials so that they can be adopted into industry, and understanding the current processing limits.

The work on handling fibres was performed on as-purchased SiC and on SiC provided by ATL that had undergone the coating procedure in order to understand the difference in processing requirements, limitations and the quality of the output.

“Silicon Carbide composites (SiC-SiC) are of interest to many industry sectors looking at high temperature applications,” said Steffan Lea, a technical fellow in the AMRC’s composites team. “The ability to produce more complex preforms from continuous silicon carbide fibre will enable new designs and applications for this high performance ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material.”

Steffan says the AMRC’s understanding of how to process SiC fibres has developed. He added: "During the CICSiC project, the AMRC has gained familiarity and knowledge on how to process SiC fibre on industrial-scale machines. Our knowledge on how to process SiC fibres on weaving looms to produce 3D woven preforms enables the production of unitised preforms with added complexity. Using the Nicalon on Tailored Fibre Placement (TFP) allows us to make efficient use of the material, only placing it where it is required and controlling the path of the fibre to make best use of its properties.”

Kevin Morris, National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP) technology manager at Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, said the project has proved to be a ‘very successful’ collaboration, and with the help of funding from NATEP has delivered ‘a winning project’.

He added: “The CICSiC project itself was able to develop the innovation and methods associated with the continuous coating of silicon carbide fibres, and demonstrated how issues could be overcome paving the way for more efficient propulsion systems for future aircraft, fulfilling the aims of the NATEP programme.”

Ryan commended the AMRC’s contribution to the project, adding: “The AMRC provided key insight and experience with handling the fibres, both in their coated and uncoated forms. Without its input, the CICSiC project would not have been as successful and the next generation equipment would not have gained as much interest.”

Andy Whitham, director of process development at Cygnet Texkimp Ltd said: “Working on this project has allowed us to understand the challenges associated with handling very delicate ceramic fibres. These are unusual in some of their characteristics, so having first hand experience of the difficulties involved in their use is invaluable. Beyond that, the opportunity to work with new partners from outside Cygnet Texkimp's main sectors, always provides a different view on the machinery we might supply for a given application.”

The CICSiC project showcases the excellent work done by AMRC’s composites team and the spread of its activities in the SiC- SiC Composites area. It promotes and accelerates the development and manufacture of advanced materials technology and high strength, high temperature materials such as ceramic matrix composites within the UK supply chain.

CICSiC was funded by the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP), a £15m programme to develop 60 aerospace technologies in the UK aerospace supply chain. Funded by the Aerospace Technology Institute and managed by ADS, it is aimed at small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to develop innovative technologies to enhance their capabilities and increase their ability to win new business.

AMRC website

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News: New Parkgate link road spurs landowner into action

The construction of a new £12m transport scheme in Rotherham has led to a prominent landowner putting forward proposals to take advantage of the improvements in the area around Parkgate Shopping.

Outline plans show some 434,862 sq ft of new commercial space on brownfield land.

Work began at the start of 2023 on a new 800 metre road between Aldwarke Lane and both Stonerow Way and Stadium Way which is set to provide a second access route to Parkgate Shopping, via a roundabout between the two railway bridges. It is designed to relieve existing congestion on the A633 around Parkgate Shopping and improve traffic flow and bus journey times on the corridor and wider road network.

The Stadium Group, which successfully developed the retail park in the Enterprise Zone created on the former Parkage steel works, has now used the link road as a catalyst to look again at a remaining 22 acre plot of land bordered by Aldwarke Lane, Parkgate Shopping, the railway line and the new link road.

Plans, drawn up by Tetra Tech and DLA Architecture, explain that the land was historically used to dispose of blast furnace slag associated with the former Parkgate Steel works and formerly contained coke ovens, a tarred slag works, railway sidings, liquid waste lagoons and a subsequent aggregate working plant.

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Remaining undeveloped, the site was designated to be a mixed use area in the borough's local plan in 2018 and various options have been looked at.

Initial discussion from 2021 show that 260 residential apartments were considered but leisure uses were discounted due to concerns over viability. Therefore, the first plans to come forward are for a range of industrial buildings covering the whole site.

Outline plans show five units for B2 General industrial and B8 Storage or distribution with a gross external area of 434,862 sq ft.

With the new link road, access would be from Aldwarke Lane and Stadium Way / Stonerow Way, where a new park & ride facility is being created for the Sheffield - Rotherham tram train.

The proposal is larger than the similar recent application for 330,000 sq ft of commercial buildings on surplus land at the Sewage Treatment Works at Aldwarke where applicants say over 800 new jobs could be created.

Previous plans from the Stadium Group for the land have included a 2004 scheme based around an 11 pitch soccer dome with a health and fitness club and swimming pool, plus new retail and restaurant units.

The plans were recommended for approval but developers withdrew when the council included a condition that permission would only be granted with a £1.6m contribution towards the construction of a new road between Stonerow Way including a bridge over the railway line.

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News: Jobs saved as Rotherham bike retailer sold in pre-pack deal

The future of independent British bicycle designer and retailer Planet X Limited has been secured following a sale of the business and its assets to Winlong Garments Limited, a company funded by Baaj Capital LLP.

Founded in Sheffield and now based in Rotherham, the business has been designing and building road, gravel and mountain bikes for over 30 years, under brands including Planet X, Holdsworth, On-One and Titus. In addition, the Company sells a range of clothing and accessories via its online store.

The company had performed strongly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but had since experienced a dampening of demand. The impact of this on cash flow, coupled with supply chain issues, prompted the directors to explore sale, refinance and investment options.

In 2020, Planet X’s employees acquired the business from its founders and set up an Employee Owned Trust (EOT).

Following a seven week sales process that generated significant trade and financial investor interest, the business and assets were sold via a pre-pack transaction to Winlong Garments Limited. Howard Smith and Rick Harrison from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators to the Company prior to the transaction completing.

All of the Company’s 33 employees have transferred to the purchaser as part of the sale.

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Howard Smith, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “Planet X has grown over the years to become a well-respected and well-loved name in the cycling community, so we’re pleased to have been able to conclude this transaction which will see the business continue to trade and, importantly, which safeguards the jobs of the Company’s workforce. We wish management and the new owners all the very best for the future.”

Jas Singh, owner and director of Baaj Capital said: “This exciting acquisition accelerates Baaj Capital’s plan to invest across a wide spectrum of diverse business opportunities; the retail sector, with both online and bricks and mortar sites, being only one area of interest.

“Baaj Capital has actively funded the acquisitions of both distressed and solvent companies through many sectors over the recent past. Planet X incorporates both specialist production and innovative design, with a reputation for quality and finish, and represents an exciting addition to the businesses trading with Baaj Support. Our thanks to the Interpath team and Company Management for their help in delivering this project.”

Richard Mostyn-Jones, Planet X CEO, said: “I am delighted to have secured the future of Planet X and the team here, with this transaction. Baaj Capital is a very entreprenurial organistion with vision and values aligned with our own. We look forward to further building on our heritage and expertise and continuing to supply the cycling community both here in the UK and across the globe.”

Originally founded by keen triathlete Dave Loughran in the 1990's, the founder returned as CEO in 2016 and set the company on course for employee ownership, inspired by Sir Hugh Facey of Sheffield-based Gripple. Planet X previously had warehouse space at Templeborough before moving to Aldwarke.

Planet X website

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News: New business growth board and economic advisory council set to launch in South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is creating a new Business Advisory Board and a Mayor’s Economic Advisory Council to replace the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Led by the Mayor of South Yorkshire, the combined authority brings together the local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield together with the private sector-led Local Enterprise Partnership.

Previously covering a wider economic area as the Sheffield City Region (SCR) LEP, a lack of consensus from council leaders denied it the chance to conclude a devolution deal with the Government.

In the March Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that LEPs would be integrated with local authorities by March 2024.

The Business Advisory Board will be made up of private sector representatives from a range of industries, building on the success of the LEP which has informed local economic policy, driven growth, and helped create more than 45,000 jobs since 2010.

Alongside, there will also be a new Mayor’s Economic Advisory Council (MEAC) established which will see the development of a strategic economic council with sector-specific national and international expertise from business, Government, and academic leaders. Their role will be to assist the mayor in setting and delivering a long-term economic plan for South Yorkshire to create jobs and grow productivity.

The MEAC will focus on evidence-based advisory outputs, with an emphasis on building stronger, collaborative offers across the north for transport planning, trade and investment promotion and innovation capabilities.

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South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “I am determined to grow South Yorkshire’s economy; to harness our talent and potential, and to create thousands of new jobs in the industries of the future. South Yorkshire has to be a place where everyone has the chance to thrive. But we can only build a bigger, better economy if we work in partnership with our business community, with them playing a full role in shaping our policies and plans.

“The two new advisory boards we are setting up will not only deliver on my commitment to make our formal structures better reflect our business community, but will also bring in world leading academics, businesspeople and leaders to challenge, support, and shout about what we’re doing here in South Yorkshire.

“Our region is turning a corner. We’re more ambitious, more confident and we’re working better together across South Yorkshire. With these two new boards in place, I’ve no doubt that we’re going to build that bigger, better economy we all so desperately want and need.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been a part of the LEP since its inception in 2014. Their hard work has helped to shape our growth agenda, guide our economic policy, and brought significant investment to South Yorkshire. This new chapter is all about building on the legacy of that work so we can continue to improve the lives of people right across our communities.”

Recommended reading: The Evolution of Entertainment: Mobile Slot Machines Shaping the Future

Richard Stubbs, LEP Chair and CEO of Yorkshire & Humber Academic Science Network said: “Across South Yorkshire we have been working for some months now on plans to evolve the great work of the LEP and to build on the positive impact it’s had on our region for the past decade.

“The new Business Advisory Board will allow elected leaders to engage with and convene a wider pool of businesses, harnessing a broad spectrum of expertise to make key decisions on how to grow South Yorkshire’s economy.

“The function of the Mayors Economic Advisory Council will be to shape the long-term vision for South Yorkshire, to use their expertise and look ahead at what it could be like in the next 25 years by harnessing the shared ambition across the business community, academics, and elected leaders.

“The LEP has made a significant contribution to our region’s economic growth and job creation over the past decade, and it has been a true honour to be a board member for several years, and to conclude my time on the LEP as chair, working alongside hard-working representatives from our business community who all give their time voluntarily for the good of our region. We now have an exciting opportunity to build on the years of positive work of the LEP, to collaborate more affectively with the ultimate goal of creating a South Yorkshire that everyone can be proud of, thrive in, and where people want to invest in.”

SYMCA is also moving to a new governance model, with a cabinet-style leadership model, in the Autumn, with the Mayor and Local Authority leaders adopting portfolio responsibilities.

SYMCA website

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News: First look at Grimm & Co's newest chapter

Further images have been released of the Emporium of Stories, The Feastery, The Book Nook and Cliffhanger Castle - new magical spaces that are set to open in Rotherham town centre later this year.

Rothbiz revealed in February that literacy charity, Grimm & Co had appointed leading design experts at Lumsden Design to make its new imaginative space a reality.

Lumsden designs retail for destinations – cultural, entertainment and visitor attractions worldwide, including for The British Museum and Harry Potter retail destinations such as Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. They are leading the design, masterplan and fit out for the final phase of the charity's two year building project.

The charity has been running since 2014 and was founded by Deborah Bullivant, who developed the story destination and a suite of activities, built on a bedrock of action research that demonstrated real and significant positive impact on literacies for children and young people and families - especially for those communities, often left behind.

Following the purchase of a former church building on Ship Hill in 2020 thanks to support from an Arts Council England small capital grant, Grimm & Co were looking to proceed with the renovation and refurbishment work when lockdown hit. The closure of the story centre and magical shop on Doncaster Gate, the diversion of promised funds and the enforced cancellation of fundraising events, meant that plans for the building were put on hold and all efforts concentrated on taking their creative delivery to children and young people online and directly into communities.

Now the charity says that it hopes to open on Ship Hill in Autumn 2023.

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Turning the beautiful, gothic, towered building into a wondrous, experiential place that celebrates the joyful discovery of stories, the enhanced and accessible offering includes a story themed café (called The Feastery), the Emporium of Stories (with Book Nook and the Apothecary to the Magical shop), function / theatre / banqueting space (known as Cliffhanger Castle), Grizelda’s Imaginarium and three different Writer’s Pad spaces to welcome schools, families and story lovers from across the region and beyond.

Deborah Bullivant, Founding Director of Grimm & Co said, “We are incredibly thrilled that Lumsden, with an impressive, world class portfolio including the likes of Kew Gardens, The National Gallery and Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The making of Harry Potter in both London & Tokyo, are bringing their expertise, vision and a touch of designer magic to capture our spirit and build our creative vision into a reality.

"Lumsden are listening, designing and transforming this beautiful space into an enchanting place full of awe and wonder, creating Grimm & Co’s Emporium of Stories, an exciting, creative, welcoming, inclusive space for everyone, offering an unusual, imaginative safe space for children, families and visitors of all ages to enjoy. The children and young people who the charity work with are excited to work with Lumsden and have been invaluable advisers to the design and transformation of this truly remarkable building.”

Lisa Pogson, Chair of the Board of Trustees added: “What an exciting milestone for this charity! Lumsden’s reassuring and extensive portfolio demonstrates an impressive array of projects that are functionally fabulous whilst being cutting edge and stunningly innovative. Our vision is in good hands.”

The £2.9m project has secured further funding from the Future High Streets Fund and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (in association with Rotherham Council), together with support from Key Fund, Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund, plus support from an anonymous local donor.

James Dwyer, Creative Director of Lumsden Design said “We are immensely proud to collaborate with Grimm & Co, supporting their incredible work inspiring young minds through the transformative power of storytelling. Working with Deborah and her team has been a joyous journey, and together Lumsden and Grimm & Co are creating a magical experience, blending Grimm’s captivating storytelling with enchanting interior design, to spark creativity, ignite imaginations, and help build brighter futures for young people."

Harry, one of Grimm & Co’s Young Leaders, added: “I really enjoyed working on Grizelda’s cabinet, being able to work on the new building was an awesome opportunity. I think Grimm will be a much more magical experience for newcomers, and I’m looking forward to having a look in the new building!”

Behind the scenes sneaky peeks are set to kickstart a crowdfunding campaign that enables businesses, individuals and communities to get involved and become part of the journey to help realise a piece of this history being made.

Grimm & Co website
Lumsden Design website

Images: Grimm & Co / Lumsden

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